Carpenter&#39;s clamp



June 13, 1933. n T. F.-,RE|D

CARPENTERS CLAMP Filed Nov.

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Inventor TFBel'cz Patented June 13, 1933 narran srA'res TI-IOIVIASYF. REID, OF BOISE, IDAHO CARPENTERS CLAMP y Application led November 10, 1931. Serial No. 574,189.

This inventionis a novelimprovement in clamps for use by carpenters, cabinet makers, and the like;Y and the'principal object of the invention is to provide a novel clamp partic- 5 ularly adapted to hold strips or'boards and the like together, while drying, 'after they have been glued; the invention embodying a novel supporting beam mounted horizontallyy on supporting legs which are adjustable lonl@ gitudinally relative to the beam, the invention further including novel quickly attach able and detachable clamping means for securing the supporting legs in adjusted posi# tion relative to the beam. 35 Most carpenters clampsfnow in .use are roughlycast and have unnecessary projections above Vand below the beams rendering same unwieldy to handle, and because of the projections the clamps cannot be stacked without some projection damaging the ma terial below it. The principal features of my novel clamp are briefly an I-beam with fiat surfaced top and bottom flanges., and

heads adjustably mounted on theuppermost flange of the I-beam in such manner that no portion of the headsproj ect below the bottom -iiange of the beam; also novel sets of legsl which clamp eectively over the lowermost flange of the I-beam, whereby the I-beam itself may be turned over Yand the legs similarly clamped over the fiangevwhich carries the heads, and when the I-beam is so reversed a flat smooth surface is provided on the upper face of the I-beam which can be usedv very 5 successfully as a support for a portable work bench.

A. further object is to provide novel clamp ing legs which can easily andV positivelybe attached and braced, and when not in use, or for purposes of transportation, may be conveniently folded up. Y

A still further obl'ect of the invention is .to provide an all-metalclamp of the character above described, which will be simple inl construction, strong, durable, efficient and reliable in use, and which may be manufacturedv at low cost.

I will explain the invention with yreference to the accompanying drawing whichillusv trates one practical embodimentI thereof, to

enable others to adopt and use the same; and

will summarize in the claims the novelfeatures of construction, and novel combinations` of parts, for which protection is desired.

In said drawing y,

y F ig.` 1 is a side elevation of the clamp show" ing onefof the legs supporting one end of the beam; also the heads on the beam holdingthe work therebetween, the work being shown in dotted lines;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the clamp shown in Fig. 1, partly broken away Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3 3, Fig. 1, showing in dotted lines the clamp legs in partly folded position for disengagement 65 from the I-beam;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged section on the line 4 4, Fig. 1, showing the cam means for clamping the bracing block to the I-beam, and also showing in dotted lines the clamp4 70 releasingmember swung into position to release the block;

ig. 5 is a section on the line 5 5, F ig. 1; an

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6 6, Fig. 1. 75

As shown in the drawing, my novel clamp preferably comprises an I-beam 1 of suitable dimensions for the purpose intended, the upperside of the lower iange of the I-'beam be. ing provided, at opposite sides of the web, B0 with spaced opposed notches or recesses 2 adapted to receiveand hold the toothedor Y pointed rear end of the clamping head 6, as shown in Fig. 1. Y

rhe head 6 (F ig. 6) comprises a casting 85 having a fiat front face 15, the casting being adapted to slide or rest upon the top of I-beam 1 and having jaws 6L at its front side edges adapted to underlie the upper fiange of the I-beam' and prevent the head 6 from tipping 90 off of the beam while permitting same to be moved longitudinally thereof. The rear `ends of the lower side edges of the casting 6 are directed downwardly and inwardly and terminate as teeth 14 adapted to engage the 95 notches 2 in the upper face of the lower iiange of the I-beam, `the parts being so shaped that when the teeth 1li are engaged with their .notches the front face 15 of the casting 6 will be disposed at right angles to the top face ofV 10? the I-beam. Extending down through the casting 6 is a bore 6b at the lower end of which is a pin 17 adapted to rest upon the top of the I-beam 1. In bore 6b above the pin 17 is a spring 16 retained in the bore by means of a plug 16a, screwed or otherwise secured into the top of the bore 6b. rlhe spring 16 acting upon the pin 17 normally tends to hold the front end of the head 6 slightly raised so as to maintain the teeth 14 engaged with the notches 2. When however', it is desired to change the position of the head 6, the front end of the casting 6 may be pushed downwardly towards the -beam, which movement will rock the head on the -beam sufficiently to disengage the teeth 14 from the notches 2 whereby the head can be moved or shifted axially of the -beam into desired position. l@n releasing the downward pressure on the head the spring 16 will again tilt the head so 'as to maintain the teeth 14 in engagement with the intended notches 2.

The adjustable head 5 comprises a casting having a flat bearing face, the casting being ada ated to rest u on the un )er flange of the l p l c I-beani 1, said casting having jaws 5a(Fig. 5) shaped to underlie the upper fiange of the I- beam to prevent the head from tipping off the beam while permitting same to slide along the top flange thereof. At the adjacent end of the I-beam is a tapered bearing 4, securely riveted or otherwise secured to the beam, through which bearing extends a screw shaft v3 having a handle 10 on its outer end for rotating the shaft. The inner end of screw shaft 3 is reduced in diameter as at 3a and enters a bore 5b in the rear end of head 5, and a ball thrust bearing, denoted by the reference i characters 8 and 9, is interposed betweenthe head 5 and threaded portion 3 of the shaft to facilitateclamping with less physical exertion. A set screw 7 engaging an annular groove 3b in the reduced portion 3'a of shaft 3 `prevents separation of the head and shaft while permitting rotation of the shaft with respect to the head, whereby the head 5 may be moved axially along the I-beam.

The I-beam 1 is supported upon pairs of Y clegs hinged together to form A-frames, the

'legs at only one end of the beam being shown in the drawing, but it is understood that the legs at the other end of the beam would be similar. Each pair of legs comprises opposed channel-bars 18 of suitable proportions hav- 5.5..

ing inturned portions 19 at their upper ends adapted to form a horizontal support for the- I-beam 1, the portions 19 being connected together by a hinge 22 underlying the portions,

whereby the opposed legs 18 may be swung towards or away from each other. Immediately below the flattened portions 19 the legs 18 diverge downwardly and outwardly as shown in Fig. 3v and the lower ends of the legs vare flattened and outturned, as at 19EL to engage the ground or floor surface G. The pivoting movement of legs 18 is controlled by a hinge strap 23 having its ends engaging hooks 25 mounted upon the legs to prevent the legs from spreading too far apart, and to give required rigidity to the legs, one of the hooks 25 being threaded for receiving a wing nut 25L engaging the outer face of the channel leg. A small nut 24 is located on the hook 25 adapted to engage the inner face of the channel leg 18 to regulate the spread of the legs.

Upon the inturned portions 19 of legs 18, at opposite sides of the I-beam, are grippers 20 adapted to fit securely over the lower flange of the beam and to maintain the I beam locked upon the legs when the legs are separated, as shown in full lines in Fig. 3. rlhe grippers preferably comprise plates 20 shaped to conform with the curvature of the legs and are securely riveted thereto, said plates carrying at their inner ends offset flanges 20a adapted to lit over the tops of the lower flanges of the Inbeam 1 whenthe legs 18 are spread apart as in full lines in Fig. 3, and the spread of the legs regulates the bite of the grippers 2O upon the flange of the I-beam since the further apart the legs are forced the tighter the grippers 2O will bite the flange of the I-beam. When it is desired to remove the legs 18 from the -beam it is merely necessary to push the members 23 downwardly adjacent their common pivot point so that the members 23 will be shifted from the axially aligned position shown in full lines Fig. 3 into the angularly disposed position shown in Fig. 3 so as to swing the legs together, whereby the gripper flanges 20a on the legs will be separated sufficiently to permit removal of the I-beam from between the flanges 20a. rlhe gripper plates'20 preferably extend the full width of each leg 18 and are long enough to reach aro-und the upper bends of the leg to reinforce same. rlhe inner ends 23yrof the strap sections 23, beyond the common pivot point, are provided with lugs 23m (Fig. 3) adapted to underlie the adjacent section 23 when the sections are aligned as in full lines, Fig. 3, to limit the movement of the sections when swinging same into alignment.

I also provide leg braces 26, with novel means for adjustably fastening the same to the I-beam. One end of each brace 26 is preferably disconnectibly connected to its respective leg 18, and the other end to a brace block 27, the blocks 27 being disposed at opposite sides of the -beam asshown in Figs. 1 and 4, and having inturned upper ends 27et adapted to overlie the lower flange of the Lbeam. The blocks 27 extend below the lower edge of the I-beam, and through the depending' portions of the plates extends a U-bolt 28, upon the base of which is pivoted a handle 29 having cam head 29aM adapted to engage the adjacent block 27. The legs of the tlf-bolt pass through the opposite block 27 and are provided on their ends with nuts as shown. Interposed between the blocks 27 below the I- beam is a coil or other spring 30 normally tending to separate the blocks 27 whereby when the handle 29 is swung upwardly into substantially horizontal position, as shown in dotted lines `in Fig. 4, the spring 30 will separate the blocks 27 sufliciently to permit the flange of the I-beam to be withdrawn from between the flanges 27 1, or to permit the blocks 27 to be adjusted axially ofthe I-beam. When however handle 29 is swung downwardly, as shown in full lines in Fig. 4, the cam 29' will draw the blocks 27 together and frictionally lock the blocks in adjusted position on the I-beam, whereby the links 26 will effectivel brace the legs 18. v

The I- earn 1 and the supporting legs 18 with their braces 26 may be quickly assembled and adjusted with respect to each other as hereinbefore described, or the legs 18 and braces may be quickly removed by manipulating the handle 29 and hinging the legs 18. The work W may be held securely clamped between the heads 5 and 6 resting upon the top of the I-beam, thereby leaving no protections or parts extending below the bottom of the I-beam, whereby the I-beams carrying the heads and work may be readily stacked one upon the other without injury to the work. If desired, the I-beams with heads 5 and 6 may be turned over and the legs 18 and braces secured to the same beam flange as the heads forming a convenientportable work bench support having a flat upper surface with no projections. When not in use the pairs of legs 18 may be readily folded up, or packed for transportation. The entire clamp is made of metal and the parts securely riveted or bolted together, and all arts of the heads are machined with true aces and edges.

I claim:

1. In a support for I-beams havingupper and lower flanges; a leg frame comprisinga pair of opposed legs hinged together at their upper ends to form a substantial A-frame; means connecting the legs below the hinge for limiting the spread of the legs; and grippers on the legs at opposite sides of the hinge adapted to fit over the lower flange of the beam when the legs are swung apart, said grippers separating to release the flange when the legs are swung together.

2. In combination with a` support as set forth in claim 1, a removable clamp adapted to engage the I-beam, and brace rods connecting the clamp plate and frame.

3. In combination with a support as set forth in claim 1, opposed clamp plates adjacent the leg frame adapted to engage opposite sides of the flange, brace rods connecting the clamp plates and frame; and means for expanding and contracting the clamp plates with respect to theyflange.

4. In a support for I-beams having upper and lower flanges; a leg frame comprising .a pair 0f opposed legs hinged together at their upper ends to form a substantial A- frame; a strap having hinged sections connecting the legs below the hinge for limiting the spread of the legs; means for adjusting the degree offspread of the legs; and grippers on the legs atV opposite sides of the hinge adapted to fit over the lower flange of the beam when the legs are swung apart, said grippers separating to release the flange when the legs are swung together.

Y 5. In combination with a support as set forth in claim 4, a removable clamp adapted to engage the I-beams, and brace rods connecting the clamp and frame.

6. In combination with a support as set forth in claim 4, opposed clamp plates adj acent the leg frame adapted to engage opposite sides of the flange, brace rods connecting the clamp plates and frame; and means for expanding and contracting the clamp plates with respect to the flange.

7. In a support for I-beams having upper and lower flanges, a legframe comprising a pair of opposed legs hinged together at their upper ends to form a substantial A-frame; means connecting the legs below the hinge for llmiting the spread of the legs; and grippers on the legs at opposite sides of the hinge adapted to fit over the lower flange of the beam when the vlegs are swung apart, said ygrippers separating to release the flange whenrthe legs are swung together; said legs comprising channel bars having their upper ends inturned adjacent the hinge, the flanges of the channels being flattened through the turned portions adjacent the grippers.

8. In combination with a support as set forth in claim 7, a removable clamp adapted to engage the I-beam, and brace rods connecting the clamp and frame.

9. ln combination with a support as set forth in claim 7, opposed clamp plates adj ac ent the leg framel adapted to engage opposite sides of the flange, brace rods connecting the clamp plates and frame; and means for expandlng and contracting the clamp plates with respect to the flange.

10. In a support for I-beams and the like having a flange, a leg frame removably connected to the beam; opposed clamp plates adjacent the leg frame at opposite sides of the flange; brace rods connecting the clamp plates and frame; a spring between the plates for normally urging the plates to separate; and cam means for drawing the plates together.

11. In a support for I-beams and the like having a ange, a leg frame removably connected to the. beam; opposed clamp plates adjacent the leg frame at opposite sides of the flange; brace rods connecting the clamp plates and frame.; a U-bolt; said clamp plates being slidably mounted on the U-bolt; and a cam rotatably mounted on the base of the U-bolt adaptedto draw the plates together When rotated into one position.

12. In a support for I-beams and the like having a flange, a leg frame removably connected to the beam; opposed clamp plates adjacent the leg frame at opposite sides of the flange; brace rods connecting the clamp plates and frame; a U-bolt; said Clamp plates being slidably mounted on the U-bolt; a spring between the plates for normally urging the plates to separate; and a oam rotatably mounted on the base of the U-bolt adapted to draw the plates together When rotated into one position.

THOMAS F. REID. 

